Hinge construction



Patented Dec. 6,1927.

- UNlTED STATES P ATENToFFl'cE.

nu! n ma um nox w. nonna'rs, or romano, omo.

HINGE CONSTRUCTION.

Application med Kay 5,1985. Serial No. 28,089.

This invention relates lto hinge constructions and has for one of its obects to provlde a hinge which will be simple 1n constructmn, comparativel inexpensive to manufacture and more e cient in use than those whlch have been heretoforerroposed. 0

A further object o the invention 1s to provide a device ofthe class described for pivotally connecting together the abutting ends of adjacent sections of a pole; bar or the like, such for example, as poles of col- Vso lapsible tent frames, clothes racks,

uilting frames, etc.,y and which may be e ciently' locked to provide anv exceptionally rigid joint. .l

With the above and other objects 1n view,

-which will appear as the description proceeds the invention consists in the novel details of construction and combinations of parts more fully. hereinaftergdescribed and particularly :pointed out in the appended claims. v

Referring to the accompanying drawings formin a part of this specification in which like re erencecharacters designate like parts in all the views;

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a hinge constructed in accordance with the present invention, as applied to a tent pole for example, the parts beingshown in their closed or locked positions;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational viewof the' parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a central verticalsectional view of. the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the hinge, however, being shown openV or broken; and, i

Fig. 4 is -a sectional plan view of the parts as shown in Fig. 2.

The reference -characters A, B represent y respectively, two sections of a pole, rod or the like, such for exampleas a tent pole,

the ends of which it is desired to pivotally connect together so as to abut in axial alignment as shown in Fig. 1. The hinge constituting theinvention comprises a mem ber 5 which may be stamped or suitably formed from sheet metal and which is provided with a portion 6 adapted to substan` tially'encircle or surround the end of the pole section A as clearlylndicated 1n the drawings. --z The said member 5 may be se cured to the pole sectionA by means of suitable screws or other fastening devices 7 passing through the portion 6, substantlally *as shown in Figs-.2 and 3.

with the, somewhat enlarged portion -8,

forming a three sided socket adapted to re ceive the end of the pole section B, when parts are in the closed positions, shown in Figs. 1 and 2. l

The side walls-9 of the portionl 8 are provided with the extended ears 10 to which are pivotally secured as by the rod or bolt .11, the companion ears 12 of the hinge member 13 which embraces the end of `the pole section B and which is secured thereto by the screws or other fastenings 14. The parts are soldesigned and constructed that when the ends of the sections A and B, abut as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, that the member 13 will be snugly received within the socket portion 8 of the member 5 and will be firmly supported therein by the three walls'of the said socket member, that will be readily understood. z

In order to efliciently lock the parts in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, we have provided a4 simple locking mechanism comprising a substantially U-shaped strap member 15 which is also pivotally mounted on the rod or bolt 11 and. which is provided with a' suitable operating handle 16, as clearly shown vin the drawings. The said strap member 15, pivotally` carries the inverted substantially U-sha ed bail 17, one

portion 18 of which. is a apted tobe re-v ceived in a pair ofv notches 'or recesses 19 which are providedA in -extensions2O of the side walls 9 of the socket portion 8. The rear edges 21 of the recesses 19 are 'preferably vertical, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, -whilel the front edges 22 of the said recesses are preferably mclined somewhat so that when theA portions 18 of the bail 17 enter the said 1 the bail 17 is moved from one side of thecenter of the pivot rod or bolt 11 to the other side of the said center, thereby aifording an automatic and positive assurance against the unintentional breaking of the lll) hinge, due to the locking mechanism being accidentally moved `from its full line position to its broken line position shown in Fig. 1.

It is thought that the mode of operation of the hinge will be clear from the foregoing and it will, therefore, not be described in further detail.

While one form of the invention has been illustrated and described, itis obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction as Well as the precise arrangement of parts Without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore, it is not wished to be limited to the above disclosure except as may be required by the claims. p

What is claimed is:

l. In a hinge construction of the class described, a pair of pivotally connected hinge members, one of which is adapted to be bodily received Within the other in one position of the hinge and the other of which is adapted `to receive said first named member, 'one of said members being provided with a recess having an inclined face; and means carried by said members adapted to enter said recess and to be forced by said inclined face into engagement with the other member and to positively lock said members in such position.

2. In a hinge construction of the class described, a pair of hinge members, one of which is provided with a pair of recesses; a pivotal connection between said members; a U-shaped strap member pivotally carried by said connection; and a bail pivotally carried by said strap member, having a portion adapted to enter said recesses to prevent relative movement of said hinge members.

3. In a hinge construction of the class described, a pair of hinge members, one of `which is provided with a plurality of recesses having inclined edges; a pivotal connection between said members; locking means including a bail having a portion adapted to enter recesses and to engage said inclined edges to clampingly prevent relative movement of said members; and means pivotally carried by said connection and pivotally connected to said bail for moving the latter to and from locking position.

4. In a hinge construction of the class described, a pair of hinge members, each `provided with a pair of extending ears, and with a portion adapted to embrace and be secured to a pole section, one of said members being also provided with a pair of extensions having recesses therein, said recesses each having an inclined edge; means pivotally connecting the ears of said members; a U-shaped strap member pivotally carried by said connection; an operating handle carried by said strap member; and a bail pivotally carried by said strap member, hav ing a portion adapted to entersaid recesses and to engage said inclined edges, to prevent relative movement of said hinge members.

5. The combination with a pair of pole sections, the ends of which are adapted to abut, of a hinge comprising a pair of members having a non-slidable pivotal connection between them, one member embracing and secured to each section, one of said memi bers being formed to receive the other mem' ber; and means pivotally carried by said pivotal connection adapted 'through pivotal movement on said connection to directly prevent relativc pivotal movement of said hinge members.

In testimony whereof We aiiix our signatures.

FRANK E. ELMER. ROY W. ROBERTS. 

